Alpine Intros New CD-Less Radio

Alpine Electronics introduced a new CD-less car A/V radio with a 7-inch screen — Alpine's largest to date offered in an A/V car head unit.

Shipping now, the Alpine iXA-W407 is also Alpine's first car receiver with built-in Bluetooth powered by Parrot.

The iXA-W07 can link with a navigation module for a full A/V-navigation system at $1,100. The double-DIN radio lacks a CD mechanism, but is designed for use with an iPod/iPhone and other new media. Its touchscreen allows slide-touch motions for selecting menu options.

The iXA-W07 can stream music from a smartphone over Bluetooth and it has a USB input for iPods, iPhones, MP3 players and flash drives. It has an AM/FM tuner and it is Made for iPod and Works with iPhone compatible.

When combined with a navigation add-on the iXA-W407 allows street-name pronunciation, 6 million points of interest. and map visuals, such as representations of highway junctions. It also has preloaded maps of the full U.S. and Canada.

Options include satellite radio and HD Radio with iTunes tagging that can be controlled from the iXA-W407's screen, as can an additional monitor or a DVD changer. Sold separately, the iXA-W407 has a suggested retail of $800.